Backpacking Australia? Should You Bring a Laptop?

If you're backpacking Australia or visiting Oz on the working holiday visa, you may be wondering if you should bring your laptop.

After carefully considering the pros and cons, I decided to bring mine with me and it was the best decision I ever made. For me, my computer offered freedom, and I don't know what I would have done without it. But everyone is different, so I'll give you a few things to consider before bringing it with you:

1. Most hostels provide computers with Internet access, but they are often expensive and/or slow. If you plan on doing a lot of e-mailing and chatting, keeping up with friends on Facebook, uploading photos and updating your blog, this can get costly. Outside of libraries (and many of those require that you have a card), you will have a difficult time finding computers with free Internet access.

2. In most major cities you can find cafes or wi-fi hotspots that offer free or cheap Internet access--but only if you have a laptop with you. But be warned, it's not as easy to find free wi-fi in Australia as it is in the states and many places in Europe. You may have to ask around or do some research online. For example, in Melbourne, you can find free wireless internet in Federation Square. The library and McDonald's is another reliable place to find free wi-fi in many cities. The hostels don't want to advertise this when they can charge you for internet access, so don't expect much help from the staff. In fact, contrary to logical reasoning, some hostels charge more for wireless internet.

3. Even if you have to pay for wi-fi, if you have a laptop with you, you can cut your costs by working offline. For example, you can write all of your e-mails before you go online, then when you log on, cut and paste, and voila! This saved me a lot of money. Do the same with photos by editing them, writing captions and downsizing them before going online to upload them. If you depend on a hostel computer, you can eat up a lot of time and money just sitting there thinking of the right thing to write.

4. A laptop comes in handy for storing documents (e.g. resumes, CVs), photos and reference materials.

5. A laptop can serve as your personal entertainment center. In my opinion, this is the best part about having one with you while backpacking Australia. When you're always living with roommates, sometimes you need to have private time, but that's difficult in a hostel. If you have a computer, you can simply tune out by putting in your headphones and popping in a DVD. It was such a luxury to be able to do this. Many hostels will let you borrow DVDs from their collection. You'll also find it easy to borrow or trade movies with fellow backpackers at the hostel or rent them for free at the library. It also comes in handy when you need to charge your iPod, add songs or change playlists.

And my only arguments against bringing a laptop to Australia:

6. Laptops are a high-theft item. Before you book at a hostel, ask if they have lockers in the room. If they don't have lockers, ask them if they have a safe where you can store valuables. If you are going on a trip where you will not be bringing your computer with you, you need to find a safe place to store it. For example, when I went to New Zealand, I kept mine with friends who were renting a house in Melbourne.

7. Laptops are easy to damage. As you're traveling around, it's easy to drop a bag or have a drunk roommate spill beer on your valuable computer.

I never regretted my decision to bring my laptop with me to Australia, but it is a personal decision. If you are going to constantly worry about having your computer stolen or damaging it, you may be better off leaving it at home. But there are tremendous perks to bringing one with you while backpacking Australia--you can save money on Internet costs, work on documents/e-mails at your leisure and watch movies whenever you feel like it.

Athena Adams worked and traveled Australia from 2008-2009 on the Australian working holiday visa. Her blog, http://workingholidayaustralia.brighterplanet.org, provides tips and advice to other young travelers planning their adventures to Oz.

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Sydney: One Of The Most Beautiful Cities Under The Clouds

Sydney happens to be the most urbanized part of Australia. As it was noted to be the state capital of the New South Wales, it also is the largest and most inhabited city in Australia. It houses the Sydney opera house in the northeastern part, the Sydney town hall in the south, and the sky tower in the center. But we all know that Sydney is known as the home of fish and chips, the Ferries, Kylie Minogue, and that dentist from Nemo. Now, what to do when in Sydney? There's a lot actually.

Let's start with the sky tower. The sky tower is actually known in Australia as the AMP Tower or the AMP Centrepoint. Its construction started in the 70's and completed in 1981. As a member of the World Federation of Great Towers, it is fitting and proper that they have allocated a viewing deck in order to see a bird's eye view of the city among the clouds. Standing at 164 feet, the main observation deck houses 18 binoculars to get a 360 degree-view of Sydney. You'll be able to see Sydney Harbour Bridge, Botany Bay, the Blue Mountains, and yes, include in the list the Pacific Ocean. Amazing, isn't it?

Include an Oz-trek adventure to complete your adventurous spirit. The breathtaking view for the tower creates a relaxing aura amidst the laid-back country like Australia even in its busiest city. The Oz-trek adventure associated with your view at the tower is a virtual-reality ride across Australia where you'll be welcomed with its history and culture. Experience Australia with surround sound in a 180-degree cinema screen and heart pounding real motion seating and you'll live through 4D movies alternate reality. You'll be able to appreciate more of Australia with this adventure. You'll be able to go into a trance-inducing ride as you navigate the country virtually.

While you're at the most sought-after tourist attraction in Sydney, complete your adventure with the Sydney Tower Skywalk. The Skywalk is like literally walking on the roof of Sydney. You are to tread a glass-flooring with the skyguides commenting on the colorful view provides insights as you see Sydney at 268 metres above sea level. The tower itself is double the height of the Sydney Harbor Bridge, and yes, it is the same height as the Eiffel Tower! This experience is best for those height-fearful individuals as they feel liberation with the security of being among the clouds. This adventure is known for its safety. Those who take on the adventure are given safety-harnesses that is attached to external walkways at all times allowing full view with the comfort of assurance. So, it is safe and what a fun!

Sydney may be the busiest among the laid-back nature of the only country with its own continent. The attraction it offers is an experience of a lifetime. The internet is oozing with commentaries among those who have experienced it already. It never failed to meet expectations and the actual experience exceeds it. It is about time that you take on that experience as well.

Australia Gold Coast in 2009

Queensland has so much to offer, several weeks could easily be spent discovering a wealth of amazing places. From the Great Barrier Reef and Australia's amazing Outback to World Heritage Rainforests and the Aussie beach culture. Visit the vibrant cities of Brisbane and Cairns, the world heritage-listed Fraser Island, and the ancient rainforests of the Gold Coast hinterland.

The Gold Coast is one of the most popular regions here, it is a coastal city in the southeast corner of the state of Queensland in Australia, located between the state capital of Brisbane to the north and the New South Wales state border to the south. The Gold Coast has long been a high-profile tourist destination for Australians and overseas travellers alike, but it is not only sun and beach, with many other things to offer. It also has a population of half a million residents.

Here are some highlights of any trip to the Australia Gold Coast in 2009:

• Surfer's Paradise - home to pristine and wide white beaches and superb water sports as well as approximately 21 theme parks including Sea World and Wet 'n' Wild Water Park.

• Tweed Heads and Coolangatta - twin towns located on the border between north-eastern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland. Coolangatta is in Queensland and a suburb of the Gold Coast. Tweed Heads is not administratively part of the city, but is effectively forms its southern suburb. Here you can join several tours and cruises.

• Tallebudgeera Creek - a popular swimming lagoon for families away from all the surfing action.

• Gold Coast Hinterland - home to three national parks, numerous mountains, creeks, waterfalls valleys, and natural rock formations. The area is mostly covered in sub-tropical rainforest, but sections have been cleared for dairy farm land and wineries.

My advice is to put Queensland on your list of travel destinations as it has so much to offer in addtiion to that coastline and sun.

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Apply For a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa and Get the Benefits of Both Worlds

Located 2,000 kilometers southeast of Australia, the island-nation of New Zealand is famous for its unique isolation, lovely and scenic landscapes, diverse population and a thriving free-market economy. Straddling across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand is composed of two major islands, North Island and South Island, along with a number of other smaller islands. Going on a vacation here would be great, however there's also a way for you to go visit and work at the same time. Getting a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa helps you to achieve both objectives.

The island-nation has a population of around 4.3 million people, with 70% of the population here mostly of European descent, along with a large Maori population, which is the nation's biggest minority group. Asians and non-Maori Polynesians constitute the other significant minority groups here. New Zealand's closest neighbors include Fiji, New Caledonia, and Tonga.

New Zealand is notable for being a thriving free market economy. The country's Gross Domestic Product as of 2007 was pegged at $128.1 billion, and it has a significantly high living standard index that is estimated at a GDP per capita of US$30,234. This figure is comparable to the per capita GDP's of Spain and other nations in Southern Europe, but is quite lower than that of the United States. This nation has historically been blessed with a high living standard, owing to its steadfast relationship with the United Kingdom, as well as having a constant and secure market for its commodity exports. Agriculture continues to be the major export industry here, and dairy products account for as much as 21% of total exports. New Zealand's largest dairy firm, Fonterra, accounts for almost 1/3 of the global dairy trade. The country's other major agricultural exports include meat (13.2%) fruit (3.5) wood, fishing, along with a booming wine industry.

For those wishing to avail of a working holiday visa here, it would be nice to know that the service sector accounts for being the largest sector in the economy, followed by the manufacturing and construction sector, as well as the farming/raw materials extraction industry. For starters, a New Zealand working holiday visa serves as a travel permit that allows visitors to undertake employment here, with the purpose of helping supplement the visitor's travel funds. Generally, a number of nations offer these types of working holiday visas, usually under reciprocal arrangements between certain countries. The main purpose of the issuance of these types of travel visas is that it allows for an increase in travel and cultural exchanges between their citizens. Among the countries that participated in the working holiday visa program were Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Canada. The program's initial objectives were to enable young adults to experience living in a foreign country, and do away with the hassles related to finding work sponsorship arrangements or undergoing the otherwise lengthy process of applying for expensive university exchange programs.

There are a number of restrictions for getting a New Zealand working holiday visa. Most of these are age-related restrictions, which bar entry to those below 18 years old, as well as limits on the type of employment opportunities available for travelers, and the length of time that a visitor can be employed. Those who apply for this type of visa also need to know that they should hold sufficient amounts of funding, to enable them to live well while looking for a job.

In availing a New Zealand Working holiday visa, first applicants need to obtain an NZIS form 1085, which refers to the Application for a New Zealand Working Holiday. You may get this through calling the offices of your local New Zealand Immigration office or by requesting for an application pack, as well as by downloading the forms from the official New Zealand Immigration Web site. Once you get the form, complete the necessary requirements, answer the given questions and then provide legal proof of adequate funding at the time of your application.

Jo is a content writer for 'Australian Travel Visas Ltd' (http://www.australiantravelvisas.co.uk), one of the world's leading visa specialist that has a committed sub group that arranges New Zealand working holiday visa. If you are going to travel and apply for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa or if you wish to go through the joy and thrill of living in Australia then you should check out Australian Travel Visas Ltd.

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Gold Coast Travel - Experience Its Wonders

Gold Coast is undeniably a vibrant and strikingly unique city in Australia. One of its key draws that make tourists come back for more is its ability to present several options to keep everyone delighted. This is a paradise for travelers where you would be able to surf in the beach or lounge first in the sun, before heading off to see the wildlife, interesting museums, and thrilling theme parks. The city's warm and friendly locals would really go out of their way just to make visitors feel right at home. Whether you are an adventure-seeking individual or the kind that likes to absorb some culture, the Gold Coast is perfect for you. Some of the places that you can visit are:

Beaches

This is home to some of the world's wonderful beaches like Palm Beach, Burleigh Heads, Mermaid Beach and the celebrated Surfers Paradise. These spots would provide you with fine golden sand, some gently rolling waves, sparkling turquoise Pacific waters as well as the chance to take in the seemingly never-ending Australian sunshine. If you are in the mood to have an early morning jog or take a relaxing stroll during sunset, Gold Coast's spotless and spacious beaches are just right for an unforgettable travel or getaway.

Cavill Avenue

For avid shoppers, this is where you would find Cavill Mall. There are countless clothes as well as specialty shops that are within walking distance. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and bars that would cater to every budget and taste in Cavill Avenue. You would also find money exchange stores and souvenir shops here. This is also where Hard Rock Café and Ripley's Believe it or Not could be found.

Hinterland

This would offer you lush tropical rainforests, some mountain villages, as well as other unseen treasures. Majority of the hinterland area are national parks, which would let you personally see the natural beauty of the area. Some of these parks are the Border Rangers, Nightcap, Witches Falls, Mt. Warning, Springbrook and Lamington National Parks. Each one of the national parks found in the hinterland site would provide you with maps so as to guide you on the walking tracks. Additionally, plenty of day tour firms offer guided walks throughout the tropical rainforest as well as visits to the natural swimming areas.

Currumbin Sanctuary

This houses the biggest variety of native Australian animals found worldwide. You can feed the multicolored lorikeets, stroll in the midst of the kangaroos, take a picture together with an adorable koala or simply admire some wild animals such as Tasmanian devils, wombats, wallabies, and of course, freshwater crocodiles. You would get to see all of them in their natural habitats.

Theme Parks

Your visit to Gold Coast would not be the same if you would not drop by one of its numerous theme parks. Some of its well-known parks are Dreamworld, Warner Brothers Movie World, Sea World, Wet 'n' Wild, and White Water World, among others. These theme parks would surely enchant all the members of your holiday group, regardless of age and personality.

Gold Coast Accommodation

Of course, your travel would be complete without your Gold Coast accommodation. You might want to check out Gold Coast apartments if privacy is a big deal for you. You can choose from one bedroom, two bedroom, or three bedroom Gold Coast apartments that would suit your travel group. Some other Gold Coast accommodation options are bed and breakfasts, motels, hotels and resorts. No matter which option you pick, you are sure to enjoy your travel in the beautiful city of Gold Coast.

The author is a travel writer who loves to offer her audience different tips on Gold Coast accommodation, particularly Gold Coast apartments, found in Queensland, Australia.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beverly_Maniago

Famous Places in China Throughout History

A whole panoply of attractions span the entirety of this enormous, ancient and diverse nation. China is packed with monuments and artefacts that predate those in most of Europe, Australia and the USA. Despite political upheavals like the Cultural Revolution, such iconic structures as the Great Wall and Potala Palace remain.

More than 2,000 years old, the Great Wall is the best-known and most awe-inspiring sight. It stretches 6,400 km (4,000 miles) across large parts of the country, with its most popular section in Badaling County, Beijing, amidst a beautiful mountain range. It is a myth that the Wall can be seen from the moon, as no astronaut has ever reported this as being possible.

One of the other more famous places in China is the Forbidden City in Beijing, an assemblage of grand palaces where 24 emperors previously lived. The casual visitor would need days if not weeks to visit every room in the Forbidden City, so best to concentrate on the throne room of the magnificent Hall of Supreme Harmony and the 120,000 square metre Imperial Garden.

Shanghai's Bund is a chic, art deco district that was once home to the concessions of the European imperial powers. To its east is the Huangpu River and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, while on its main drag are the Huifeng Bank and the Shanghai Customs House. JG Ballard immortalized the city in his novel 'Empire of the Sun'.

One of the more bizarre yet also one of the most famous places in China is the Museum of Emperor Qin Shihuang's Terra Cotta Warriors & Horses. As the name suggests, this is a tomb containing hundreds of ceramic models dating back to 210 BC.

For sheer aesthetic beauty alone, Potala Palace is unrivaled anywhere in the world. This 1,000-room complex in Lhasa, Tibet, was originally the home of the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama, currently exiled by the Chinese occupying forces. The palace's architecture merges wonderfully with the natural features of the Red Mountain, which it is built into.

On the Yungui Plateau, the Dian Chi Lake is another of the more famous places in China. Rising almost 2,000 metres in altitude, the lake can sometimes appear to be joining with the sky above it, a curiously wondrous effect that many visitors have commented upon. At dawn and dusk, the sunlight refracts the sunlight in such a way that it embles many silver fishes. Arguably the best view of the Dian Chi Lake is from the West Mountain.

3 of Yellow Mountain's 72 peaks are all above 1,800 metres tall. Its four most appealing spots are the Pine Forest, the Strange Stone, the Cloud Sea and the Hot Spring. It is located in the bucolic Anhui Province.

These are just some of the many famous places in China, with many more located around this unique country.

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about famous places in china, please visit China and Tourism for current articles and discussions.

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Discover Sydney - Top 7 Caravan Parks

Sydney offers the selective traveller a wealth of sightseeing choices, and diversity of caravan / holiday parks suitable for all types of travel, whether an overnight stay through to a home away from home. We have chosen parks based on the high standard of service, facilities available and close proximity to beautiful places just waiting to be explored.

A campervan holiday is not the same if you end up in a drab, unfriendly tourist park which ends up much less than anticipated. To maximize your 'Sydney and surrounds' adventure, check out these recommended parks, each with a unique flavour and drawcard, to top off a visit to one of Australia's most loved and attractive cities.

1. Sydney Gateway Holiday Park : 30 Majestic Drive Stanhope Gardens 1800 080117

This is a popular destination for many reasons, mainly the accessibility to Sydney's event centre, as well as being only half an hour from the city centre. In Sydney, this is still close. The facilities are have a resort atmosphere, with a night lit swimming pool and heated spa, games room and open air picnic complex just some of the highlights. Nearby attractions include the Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney Olympic Park and Parklea Markets. Powered sites are surrounded by gardens and close to all amenities. This is an ideal base for those wanting to experience Sydney at its best.

2. Lane Cove River Tourist Park : Plassey Road North Ryde 1300 729 133

Adjoining Lane Cove National Park and based in Sydney's inner west just ten kilometres from the city Centre, this is an attractive park fantastic for any length of stay. We stayed here for a week with our three children, and the natural attractions, wildlife and nearby shopping centre all contributed to an enjoyable stay. An ideal base if you are keen to visit the city attractions yet prefer to relax and unwind away from the hustle and bustle of the city, here you get the best of both worlds.

3. Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park : Lake Park Road North Narrabeen 1800 008 845

Located in beautiful Narrabeen between the beach and the lake, this is an ideal base for travellers wanting to combine a beach holiday with city attractions. There is something for the whole family here, with calm waters for the kids and close to twenty beaches to choose from for a stroll or swim, or why not explore the national parks and walks nearby? Set in thirty acres of landscaped gardens with excellent facilities, this will be a holiday to remember. The city centre is also an easy drive away or you can hop on the ferry for a different perspective.

4. Ocean Beach Holiday Park : Sydney Avenue Umina Beach 1800 611 522

Only one hours drive from the city, the Ocean Beach Holiday Park is another beachside location with a difference. There is everything here, from kids club, adventure playground, resort pool and rejuvenation spa, to the natural surrounding beauty of the beaches and Brisbane Water National Park. Once you have experienced everything the park has to offer, you will be relaxed and ready for a day trip to the city. You might prefer to stay 'home' the next day, or head out to the Sydney hinterland the next day. Close enough to visit the main attractions, and far enough away to completely relax, it's close to perfect.

5. Dural Village Caravan Park : 269 New Line Rd Dural 1800656017

Only thirty minutes easy drive to the city, the Dural Village Caravan Park is located in a leafy neighbourhood close to Castle Hill and Parramatta shopping centres. The Olympic Stadium is also a close drive away, with the Blue Mountains, National Parks, beaches and famous Hawkesbury River all perfect for a day trip. This is a clean, economical and relaxing park, central to everything Sydney has to offer, and with all the facilities you expect, as well as a tennis court, adventure playground, shop and swimming pool.

6. Del Rio Riverside Resort Hawkesbury Valley: Chaseling Road Webbs Creek 02 45664330

The Del Rio Riverside Resort is a Hawkesbury gem, with a wide range of activities and attractions to choose from once you have set up your home away from home. With activities including bushwalking, tennis, fishing, cycling, golf and waterskiing, you won't have much time left to see the city highlights, although they are close enough for a full day trip. There are kid's activities throughout the holidays, and a sports club for the kids at heart. What I love most here are the large tree lined grassy sites, the perfect location for your campervan. This is an ideal destination especially for the family and adventure lovers.

7. Grand Pines Tourist Park: 289 The Grand Parade Sans Souci

See Botany Bay close up as you get the best of the city and the foreshore. The city centre is just an easy half an hour away yet this park is peaceful and close to idyllic surroundings. Throw out a line at Ramsgate Beach, go for a leisurely circuit walk at dusk, or enjoy the nearby cafes. The beauty of this park is its proximity to Sydney's attractions and airport, combined with excellent facilities and service. A great choice for your city adventure!

By: Jenny Brewer

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